That is the question.
Today Adalyn had her 9 month check up.
Yes, NINE months.
::tear::
At her 6 month appointment the Dr. mentioned that at her 9 month there would be no shots, but that it would be time for the flu shot.
This had me freaking out a little.
I wasn't ready to commit to it.
At this point, I feel as though I am pro-vaccines, but as far as these side ones...I'm not so sure.
So I've been doing some research, I asked some of my friends and currently the responses are tied.
So I went in to her appointment today and decided I was going to put it off at this time and if I felt she needed it then I would come back another day.
I wasn't feeling 100% comfortable with it-with the adverse effects I read about, a slight chance of it even working and the misc chemicals being put into her body- I just wasn't confident.
And thankfully, God was good and they didn't have the flu shot yet and said to call back in a month to set up an appointment.
Which gives me more time to be confident in my decision!
Mr. B and I don't get them. My family doesn't get them. I stay home with her and we go to occassional play groups and the nursery on Sunday so she's not overly exposed to germs.
But on the other hand, although we rarely get the flu I know when it hits it is zero fun.
I don't want that for Adalyn nor do I want to risk it turning into a worse condition like pneumonia.
But I've read that vitamin D and healthy eating is also sufficient in building up her immune system to fight off sicknesses.
Neither is a guarantee.
So is it worth it?
There will be no judgement either way.
I'm really on the fence with this and respect whatever decision you make for your child, I am just curious to hear what you do/did and the reasoning behind it.
Thanks!!
I am pro all vaccines (except the HPV one, but that's a long story), including the flu. Flu viruses can live on ANYTHING. Like shopping cart handles? Door handles? Park equipment? Plus it can live in the air for several hours after someone sneezes. I think the flu sucks. And Henry having the flu is one of my nightmares. A climbing fever and throwing up? NO THANKS. I would be a total mess dealing with that. I would be so worried the entire time. I think, as his mother, I owe it to him to protect him from everything I can. That includes the flu. And you and your hubby can carry the fly virus on your clothes even if you 2 never get sick. What if you bring the virus into your home and then SHE gets sick? I just think chances of getting the flu are way higher than any adverse reactions.
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to be pushy. It's your decisions. It's just that the less people get the vaccine, the more cases of flu there will be. The more dangerous it is for everyone, including all these babies we have. Vaccines have eradicated diseases before, and it could do it with the flu...but only if everyone gets vaccinated.
I am pro all vaccines (except the HPV one, but that's a long story), including the flu. Flu viruses can live on ANYTHING. Like shopping cart handles? Door handles? Park equipment? Plus it can live in the air for several hours after someone sneezes. I think the flu sucks. And Henry having the flu is one of my nightmares. A climbing fever and throwing up? NO THANKS. I would be a total mess dealing with that. I would be so worried the entire time. I think, as his mother, I owe it to him to protect him from everything I can. That includes the flu. And you and your hubby can carry the fly virus on your clothes even if you 2 never get sick. What if you bring the virus into your home and then SHE gets sick? I just think chances of getting the flu are way higher than any adverse reactions.
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to be pushy. It's your decisions. It's just that the less people get the vaccine, the more cases of flu there will be. The more dangerous it is for everyone, including all these babies we have. Vaccines have eradicated diseases before, and it could do it with the flu...but only if everyone gets vaccinated.
I know every mom has different views...but we don't get it..never have...and same sorta thing they aren't exposed to bad germs often cause I stay home with them and they even stay with me in church cause we have no nursery. Anyways...pump up her vitamin c drops and vitamin d...also try infant elderberry syrup(suppose to ward off flu)..we also all take probiotics to stay healthy! I actually just wrote a post about all this...check it out...I also do modified vaccine scehdule and my 18 mth old has only had dtap pneumonnia and one hib.
ReplyDeleteWe do not do flu shots. Never have, never will. My kids have never had the flu and we don't do anything different to prevent it. I have known several people (adults and children) who have gotten the shot and then still got the flu, whether from the shot itself or just because. I don't like doing anything unnecessary to my kids.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you choose, it will be ok. :)
9 months already?!?! I don't give my twin girls the flu shot. I think the main reason is because I have never had it nor has my husband and we are fine. My girls are now almost 8 and I think they both have has the flu maybe twice. Goodluck with what you decide.
ReplyDeleteI do choose to vaccinate and do flu shots. All my girls are scheduled for them this Wednesday, and we did give the triplets them last year and I got one while pregnant with them and with Emily. They have never had any side effects.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, I think this year you are fine either way! Happy 9 Months sweet girl!
I've never thought not to give my kiddo the flu shot. When he got it, I was a teacher (my students were full of germs) and he goes to daycare (his friends are full of germs), and he seemed to get sick at least once a month. I didn't want it to get worse.
ReplyDeleteWe are pro vaccine as well, but I also had a hard time with this one. I went back and forth for about a month then did it. I also got it, just to be safe. Have you looked into pprobiotics or anything? We use them and Lexi is pretty healthy, besides the ear infections And GERD, of course!
ReplyDeleteI never had the flu shot until I was pregnant, but since then, I have, my husband has and now my 3 year old has each year. I just dont feel that the risks of the shot out weigh the crappiness if one of us were to get the flu. Good luck with your decision!!
ReplyDeleteI have always gotten the flu shot and I have definitely gotten less colds every winter. I am a peds nurse and have seen how bad Influenza can affect kids. I definitely believe in the benefits!
ReplyDeleteI have gotten the flu shot since my freshman year of college (so the past 7 years), and luckily have never gotten it. I feel like even though I may not have ever gotten it anyways, that I am glad I had a better chance of not getting it.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I will get Graham vaccinated. I feel like the flu isn't good for adults to get, but can be much more dangerous for young children. I rather him have some type of defense built up than be completely exposed to any little chance.
I can get heated on this topic so I won't go into all the research, stats, etc. but I have to say, it's interesting to me that people who don't vaccinate say "we don't get sick," but perhaps that's because so many people get vaccinated! Just a thought!!
ReplyDeleteI love following your blog!! You remind me of my heart for being a stay at home mom many years ago. It was the most wonderful time of my life. When my kids were little we didn't do flu shots for them mainly because they weren't offered for children. My son got the flu when he was six and was flat on his back for almost a week with fever, chills, aches, etc. Then my daughter got it from him a week later. It was a long month to say the least. My husband and I had been vaccinated and didn't get it. Now, we all get flu shots including my grand kids. It is definitely a personal preference thing but having the flu is NO fun. Good luck with your decision. Thanks for sharing your life and your sweet little girl.
ReplyDeleteGetting the flu shot does not necessarily mean you will not get the flu. Each year "they" try to predict what the big flu will be the next year in order to produce vaccines for the fall, and often what happens is that the strain that actually spreads around is not covered by the vaccine. Yes, it is miserable when your kids have it for them and you, it can be serious in some cases, but in most cases the flu is short lived in children and having it can help them to resist it in the future. I'm not anti-vaccine. My kids have had all of the other usual childhood vaccinations. I was also hesistant to do the chicken pox shot, but did it. Just be aware of some of the things that are in these things and where your research info comes from.
ReplyDeletePrior to this year, I always got the flu shot, but always swore that I didn't need it. This past year, I didn't get the flu shot & surprise, I got the flu! BUT, I also work in an office with random people coming in and out all day. Thankfully, though, I had the most mild flu case ever! Having the flu is no fun, but I'm right there with you - it almost seems like eating well and trying to avoid germs might be just as helpful.
ReplyDeleteWe dont vaccinate, and do not get the flu shot. There is poinson in vacines that the FDA does not allow in foods, but allows tog et injected into our babies bloddstreams. Take your time, research throoughly then make the decision when you are ready. You cana lways go get the sho, but you cannot take it away once given. I second the elderberry syrup and up the vitamins C and D :) Dont be troo worried about common germs if she has a healthy immune system and general good health. Its OK to get sick sometimes, natural immunity is good!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
No judging if you do give her the flu shot but we do not vaccinate our child and if we did we would certainly skip that one. They make it new each year after giving it their best guess what the flu virus might be this time. Rachel and John posted if everyone got one the flu would disappear, uh no! They don't make brand new batches of the other vaccines each year because those diseases aren't changing, mutating, etc. I would really look into the ingredients of vaccines if I was you. I know the chicken pox one was made using aborted fetus tissue and it is even on the American Peds website, not a rumor. For me who does not support abortion and waited years to get pregnant, no thanks.
ReplyDeleteWe just had well checks for both kids and weren't expecting the vaccines to be in. Our 3 year old has always gotten it because he was at daycare, but I've been home with him for a year now. We chose to give them flu shots, not because of the actual flu, but because of the secondary infections that can come from it that is really hard for kids (babies) and old people to fight off.
ReplyDelete